Hi Bny806, You ask the chicken and the egg question. Could you be having a lung issue which triggers a DM/PM flare? Could the DM/PM trigger the lungs and/or sinuses?

It would be no surprise to me that a simple cold would be a problem. I know our meds lower the immune system and we are told to "avoid" people. I take hand washing precautions but I am not worried about being around the public.

I think your bloodwork is the only way to reveal if the lousy feelings are just the cold. I have experienced colds in the past that were not flares. It is very important to check the lungs if the cold does not go away in a timely manner.

I think you raise a good question. I am interested to hear if anyone else has flared during a cold.

My neuro told me that stress, illness, disease, fever, or surgery can trigger a flare. He also said that the medical profession can't predict which illness, etc., will cause the flares and which won't, because they don't know what causes PM/DM/IBM. They only know some of the triggers.

Thank yall.. ugh.. it just makes me feel so miserable... everytime I get any illness it feels like influenza now.. (my eyes hurt to move, my muscles and joints kill) and of course the weakness is worse too.. Motrin helps quite a bit, but I have stomach issues too, so have to be careful about it.. I am always nevous to do my flu shot, but then i'm nervous to not do it too!

When I get sick, I get pretty weak. I think it does pull on our immune system and causes our Myositis to feel worse. I usually slow down, try to take it easy, and hope the cold/cough/whatever passes quickly.

One agreement I have with my general doctor is when I get sick, if I am not better in 3-5 days, I go in. 9 times out of 10, I need an antibiotic to kick it and keep from getting worse. I learned this after a few rounds of pneumonia. Because our immune system isn't strong, it is easy for a virus to run rampant through our bodies.

Hello. I got the flu in Nov and it took me approximately 2 months to get over it. My other symptoms didn't get worst. I knew it was the flu and went to a minute clinic and was told due to my PM they were unable to treat my flu symptoms. I was totally shocked. I then went to the urgent clinic at USF where I was originally treated for my PM and where my prmiary doctor was located until a few months prior when she left the clinic and they acted as if they had no idea how to treat me either. They gave me an antibiotic and I remembered that since I was taking Cellcept to suppress my immune system the antibiotics wouldn't work and they didn't. I used old fashioned home remedies. I had some type of stomach illness a few weeks ago. My bowels emptied for four days straight without me eating anything. I don't know what it was pushing out but I felt as if I was closing down like people who are dying does. I try to stay away from everyone who is sick and I work at home, but I still get ill.

Brenda. We need to have a flu shot every year and a pneumonia shot every ten years. This is standard protocol for us as we are immune suppressed by the drugs and disease. You must have both this winter. If you are ill you must always see a doctor or go to the ER. We get sicker faster than other people which puts us in great danger. Autumm

Brenda. Sometimes we have to take antibiotics. The doctor should know whether to stop the Cellcept or not. Best to ask this question of your Rheumatologist next time you see him so you are aware of what is the best way to go In this situation. I have been thinking of your pain and wonder if you have ever had Fibromyalgia. I know we get some pain with this disease but you have a lot of pain.just a thought. Autumm

I definitely have worsening of my DM symptoms when I get sick. I am a big believer in frequent hand washing and always having hand sanitizer on hand! I also don't allow anything to go on for long without seeing my doctor about it. I have always struggled with getting the flu shot or not but I think I probably will for the first time this year. It was a very bad year for the flu last season and I spent a lot of time worrying that I would get it. Especially after my 9 year old son came down with a bad case of the flu type B. We are ALL getting flu shots on the highly recommended advice of my rheumy.

Hi Lexis. Hope you are doing well. Like you I learned the hard way by getting pneumonia lat winter. Not pleasant. Autumm

I use to get the flu shot and had the pneumonia shot less than 10 years ago, but as soon as I was dignosed I was told that I could no longer have the flu shot. I was told by my neurologist at the time to not take the normal things such as vitamins and the OTC drug, which my brain can't remember right now, that is taken before flights to keep from catching anything and every time that I go in to see my diabetes nurse and we go over when I have last had the vaccinations and I say what I was told, she never questions it. I have appts with my Rheumatologist who has been on my case since day one and my newer neurologist in the next couple of weeks and I am going to bring this up with each. I think that there are a few natural things that I can do that will improve my immune system, but my former neurologist was totally against them since they would improve my immune system and he was trying to suppress it. These two actions are what confuses me the most. I know that I am suppose to be suppressing my immune systems but I can't totally understand why. In the real world it seems that if I am suppressing it I am setting myself up to catch everything that is floating in the air. I don't want to live in a bubble. I want to get out and enjoy the world. My grandson is on a bike tour of Tampa. We are always discussing these simple things and whenever I come across some that is free I tell him about it and if he is over visiting with me and is able to take part he does. He is 17 and going to camp for the 1st time. He had never considered going until he started visiting with me this summer and I give him a lot more freedom than his mom does. I raised 3 sons and I am more comfortable with allowing him to use his best judgement, He has been attending weekly activities at my church that I would love to have done when I was younger. He is making new friends and talking about college. I love his can do attitude. We shopped yesterday for some of the things he will need for camp and since is 6'4" tall I had to look for a sleeping bag that would be comfortable for him. We had a great time shopping together, but this morning I was unable to get up to cook him a good breakfast before he went out for the long bike tour. He was okay with it, but I am not. Of course my crying over the matter didn't help much, but it is all that I could do. I never let him see me cry, but I know that he really appreciates my breakfasts and all meals that I cook for him because he doesn't get a lot of home cooked meals and that is one of the things that I do best. After my IVIG this week I am so weak and nauseous, but that is another discussion. I have already forgotten what this was supposed to be able. This is too funny.

Hi Brenda. Do ask your Rheumatologist about the flu shot. It is a 'dead' virus and should not do you any harm. Here in the UK all immune suppressed people are given it free of charge every year. Autumm